Apparatus for fastening containers for plants and storage onto balusters

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of co-pending Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/310,000 filed Aug. 6, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to fastening means for attaching containers to balusters used in places such as on porches, balconies and stairways, and the containers may be used to hold plants or to store items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art balusters have been not been used for any purposes except for decorative purposes, to provide support to railings to which they are attached, and to help prevent people from falling past a railing supported by the balusters. These purposes for balusters are important but limit the use of space around the balusters.

In urban environments some high rise apartments have small porches or balconies that are used to sit outside, but there is little or no space to store chair cushions, magazines or other things used on such small porches or balconies. There is also little space to place flower planters. One approach to solving this space problem is to mount planters on top of or alongside a railing, as for example on the balconies of high rise condominiums, on the decks of houses, on the decks of above-ground pools, and so on. An example is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,095 issued Dec. 14, 1993. However, fastening of this type obstructs with the ability to use a railing as a support for people to hold.

Thus there is a need in the prior art for means to utilize heretofore unused space to fasten planters and storage containers on porches, decks, balconies and stairs, whether in a high rise, houses, pools, or elsewhere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the need in the prior art to provide means to utilize heretofore unused space to fasten planters and storage containers on porches, decks, balconies and stairs, whether in a high rise, houses, by a pool, or elsewhere. The novel fastening means is used for attaching such containers to the side of balusters of railings used in places such as porches, balconies and stairways, and the containers may be used to hold plants or to store items.

High rise apartments having small porches or balconies also have railings with balusters and the novel fastening means is used to attach planters and storage containers to the sides of the balusters, and preferably to the outside of the balusters, off the porch or balcony. Thus, the planters and storage containers may be fastened in a position and in a manner that takes up no space on the porch or balcony. In addition, the top of railings may still be utilized for their intended purpose of being used as a hand hold.

The fastening means attaches to the side of planters and containers and, when they are positioned on the outside of a railing, the fastening means extends through balusters and a clamping means is engaged to hold the planters and containers firmly against the balusters.

For heavier planters and containers a horizontal support lip is provided on one side or a bottom edge of the planter or container. The support lip sits on the edge of the floor of the deck or balcony and cooperates with the fastening means to attach the planter or container to the balusters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood upon reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a planter equipped with the novel fastening means attached to balusters;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the planter in FIG. 1 showing the novel fastening means attaching the planters to the porch balusters;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the planter of FIG. 1 showing how the novel fastening means attaches the planter to the porch balusters;

FIG. 4 shows inserts that are placed in the top of the planter to grow plants;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a larger planter attached to porch balusters using a plurality of the novel fastening means;

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the larger planter in FIG. 5 attached to the porch balusters using a plurality of the novel fastening means;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of a storage container attached to porch balusters as not to take space up on a porch or balcony; and

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the storage container of FIG. 7 attached to the porch balusters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1 is shown a front view of a semi-circular container equipped with the novel fastening means (seen in FIG. 2) to be attached to balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> that support railing <b>37</b> of a porch <b>38</b>. In FIG. <b>1</b> and in the following description the container is identified as planter <b>10</b>, but it may also have an open top or have a cover and be used for the purpose of storage such as shown in and described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The planter <b>10</b> may be made of any appropriate material such as metal, plastic, synthetic resin or wood. In addition, planter <b>10</b> can have any number of fanciful patterns molded or otherwise formed into its outer surface to enhance the aesthetical appearance of the planter.

It can be seen in FIG. 1 that planter <b>10</b> takes up no room up on the porch <b>38</b> while providing a decorative appearance and performing its intended purpose. While planter <b>10</b> is shown mounted to the balusters <b>11</b>, <b>12</b> of a deck <b>38</b>, it also may be mounted to balusters of a balcony of a high rise apartment, or to the balusters on the side of a stairway, both inside and outside.

In addition, planter <b>10</b> may be any desired shape. While the planter <b>10</b> shown in FIG. 1 is preferably big enough to span at least two balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>, more balusters may be spanned as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Further, a planter <b>10</b> may be smaller and not span two balusters, but a portion of fastening means will be seen as described in more detail with reference to FIG. <b>6</b>.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the planter <b>10</b> in FIG. 1 showing the novel fastening means attaching the planter <b>10</b> to the porch balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>. The fastening means, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a cross bar member <b>13</b> and a knurled tightening knob <b>14</b> which is knob with a threaded hole through its center area. A nut (not shown) may also be insert into the center of knob <b>14</b> in a recessed manner for this purpose. In fastening planter <b>10</b> to balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>, cross bar <b>13</b> is placed across the opposite side of balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> from planter <b>10</b> as shown, and fastening means <b>14</b> is tightened by turning to squeeze planter <b>10</b> and bar <b>13</b> against opposite sides of the balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>.

Member <b>13</b> spans balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> and knob <b>14</b> screws onto a threaded screw that extends from the rear of planter <b>10</b> and between balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>. Knob <b>14</b> preferably has a large enough diameter to permit the proper tightening force to be created when hand tightening for the fastening means to work properly. A wide knob <b>14</b> serves to spread force over bar <b>13</b> in a manner known in the art. Alternatively, knob <b>14</b> need not be provided but a flat washer and nut that is turned onto the screw extending from planter <b>10</b>, but this is not as aesthetically pleasing visually.

As knob <b>14</b> is tightened a force is created that holds planter <b>10</b> and cross bar member <b>13</b> tightly against opposite sides of balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> and a frictional force is created thereby such that planter <b>10</b> stays in the fastening position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Further details of the fastening means are shown in and described with reference to FIG. <b>3</b>. Extra friction may be created by molding small, raised ridges on the surface of cross bar <b>13</b> that contact balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> and can dig into wooden balusters. Alternatively, a piece of tape may be attached to the surface of bar <b>13</b> that contacts balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>, and the tape has a sand like surface, similar to tape strips that are attached to concrete stairs so people do not slip and fall. The latter is more required for metal balusters.

In FIG. 3 is shown a top view of planter <b>10</b> of FIG. 1 showing further details of the novel fastening means and how it is used to attach planter <b>10</b> to balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>. Through the flat, back wall of planter <b>10</b> is a hole having a diameter only slightly larger than the threaded shaft (not shown) of a wide headed screw <b>15</b>. A wide, fender washer <b>16</b>, or a flat piece of metal or other material, is first placed onto the threaded shaft of screw <b>15</b> until it is under the head of the screw. Washer <b>16</b> protects the rear surface <b>17</b> of planter <b>10</b> by providing strain relief in a manner well known in the art. The threaded shaft of screw <b>15</b> is then inserted through the hole through the back wall of planter <b>10</b> from the inside of planter <b>10</b>. When the threaded shaft extends past balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> a hole through the center of cross bar member <b>13</b> is inserted onto the threaded shaft of screw <b>15</b>. As described in the previous paragraph cross bar <b>13</b> has small, raised elements on the surface of cross bar <b>13</b> that contact balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>, as shown by the ridged surface in FIG. 3, or has tape with a sand paper like, rough surface. Knurled knob <b>14</b> with a threaded nut insert is screwed onto the end of the threaded shaft of screw <b>15</b>. As knob <b>14</b> is turned tight planter <b>10</b> and cross bar <b>13</b> are forced against opposite sides of balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> creating a pinching force such that planter <b>10</b> stays in the fastening position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, additional pieces of tape with a sand paper like, rough surface may be provided and attached to the rear side of planter <b>10</b> so as to contact balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> when planter <b>10</b> is mounted on the balusters.

FIG. 4 shows cup like inserts <b>21</b>, <b>22</b>, <b>23</b> (not seen in FIG. 1) that hold dirt and plants or flowers, or plastic plants or flowers that are be placed in the open top of a planter <b>10</b>. The insert(s) either hook onto the top edge of planter <b>10</b>, or rest on molded ledges (not shown) on the inside of planter <b>10</b>. The inserts shown are typically molded of plastic, formed as a single piece <b>20</b> and partitioned into multiple, triangular cup shaped segments <b>21</b>, <b>22</b> and <b>23</b>. When inserted into planter <b>10</b> piece <b>20</b> is bent to the shape shown in FIG. <b>4</b>. Alternately, there may be a number of separate, discrete, cup shaped inserts. While there are three pie shaped inserts shown in FIG. 4, their actual shape is determined by the shape of planter <b>10</b>. In addition, there may be a plurality of inserts as shown in FIG. 4, or there may be a single insert.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a larger, rectangular shaped planter <b>30</b> attached to porch balusters. This larger planter <b>30</b> spans a plurality of balusters as shown. There may or may not be cup like inserts in this planter. To attach such a larger planter or storage container to the balusters a plurality of the novel fastening means are utilized. They are not shown in FIG. 5 but are shown in and described with reference to FIG. <b>6</b>.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the larger planter <b>30</b> in FIG. 5 attached to the porch balusters using a plurality of the novel fastening means. In this example two fastening means of the type shown in and described with reference to FIG. 3 are utilized, but more than two may also be utilized. As may be appreciated, due to the larger size of planter <b>30</b> a single fastening bar <b>13</b> is insufficient to mount planter <b>30</b> to the balusters. As shown in FIG. 6, multiple bars <b>13</b> and fastener elements <b>14</b> are utilized. While two bars <b>13</b> and fastener means <b>14</b> are shown, more than two may be used, if required or as desired. They are the same as those shown in and described with reference to FIG. 4 so the description is nor repeated here for the sake of brevity.

In FIG. 7 is shown a front view of a storage container <b>39</b> with lid <b>34</b> attached to porch balusters as not to take space up on a porch or balcony. Only two balusters <b>40</b> and <b>41</b> are shown but there are more balusters, not shown, between these two balusters. Container <b>39</b> may be deep, in the order of eighteen to twenty-four inches, several feet wide, and lid <b>34</b> is provided to seal the inside of container <b>39</b> from the elements. Lid <b>34</b> is sloped to facilitate the run off of rain. This enlarged storage container can be used to store larger items, such as porch furniture cushions that are often removed and stored when not in use to protect them from rain or prolonged exposure to the sun. By fastening storage container <b>39</b> on the outside of the balusters so it takes up no space on a porch or balcony, storage space is effectively created since the stored items are not on the normal, functional area of the porch or balcony, and are not inside a house or apartment where storage space may be or is at a minimum.

Storage container <b>39</b> maybe deep enough that its bottom surface will sit on the outer edge <b>36</b> of porch <b>38</b>. This is not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Preferably, container <b>39</b> may be provided with an extending support member <b>35</b> that sits on the edge <b>36</b> of porch <b>38</b>, such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the storage container <b>39</b> is attached to the balusters. The support member <b>35</b> may alternatively be co-planar with the bottom surface of container <b>39</b> and extend in the direction of the balusters to rest on the top, outer surface <b>36</b> of the porch floor <b>38</b> to support the weight of container <b>39</b> and its contents thereon. Support member <b>35</b> is sturdy enough to support the weight of storage container <b>39</b> when it has a fair amount of weight therein.

With a support member <b>35</b> on a storage container <b>39</b> the novel fastening means do not support all the weight of the container. Rather, the weight of container <b>39</b> and its contents is primarily supported by the support member <b>35</b> and the fastening means are used to hold container <b>39</b> against the balusters so the container does not fall off the porch or balcony.

The support member <b>35</b>, no matter where located, preferably extends along the length of container <b>39</b> but a plurality of shorter support members, spaced along the length of container <b>39</b>, may also be utilized. While the support member <b>35</b> in FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown as being formed as an integral part of storage container <b>39</b>, it may be a separate part that is attached to the rear of container <b>39</b> in an adjustable manner to facilitate fastening container <b>39</b> on balusters of different heights, and to facilitate fastening container <b>39</b> at different heights.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the storage container of FIG. 7 attached to the porch balusters and supported on the edge <b>36</b> of deck <b>38</b> by support member <b>35</b>. As previously described, storage container <b>39</b> may be several feet wide and will span across a number of balusters <b>41</b> that are not shown in FIG. <b>8</b>. Accordingly, similar to the wide planter shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of fastening means of the type shown in and described with reference to FIG. 3 are utilized. The number of fastening means is basically dependent upon the weight of storage container <b>39</b> and its contents. The fastening means are the same as those shown and described with reference to FIG. 4 so the description is nor repeated here for the sake of brevity.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a container having a similar or different shape to planter <b>10</b> in FIG. 1, may be mounted on balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> to face the porch side of the balusters <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>. With no insert(s) placed into the container it may be used to place items such as, but not limited to, magazines and newspapers. It may also be used as a trash basket.

While what is described herein is the preferred embodiment of the invention and some alternative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.